Thierry Henry caps Arsenal return with goal vs Leeds

Arsenal's former player and new loan signing Thierry Henry blows a kiss to the fans as he celebrates on the final whistle after scoring the winning goal on his first game back during the English FA Cup 3rd round soccer match between Arsenal and Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium in London, Monday, Jan. 9, 2012.

LONDON — Taking in the acclaim of his adoring fans, it was as if Thierry Henry had never been away.

The Frenchman made a triumphant return to Arsenal, scoring with a composed, trademark finish in the 78th minute Monday night to give the Gunners a 1-0 win over Leeds in the third round of the FA Cup.

"The feeling I had when I scored was amazing," the 34-year-old said after his first game for Arsenal in more than 4½ years.

Ten minutes after he replaced Marouane Chamakh, Henry sidefooted home an angled finish into the bottom far corner from about 9 yards. Henry, who starred for Arsenal from 1999-07, extended his club record to 227 goals as he started a two-month loan from Major League Soccer's New York Red Bulls.

"It was like a dream," Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said. "It was a story you would tell young kids if you want to tell them a story about football. Sometimes it happens."

The celebrations were deafening, as if Arsenal had just won the cup. The Gunners host Aston Villa in the fourth round as they look to win the competition for an 11th time and end a seven-year trophy drought.

Running around the perimeter of the field past delirious supporters, Henry hugged Wenger, his longtime mentor, near the dugout. His teammates soon smothered him. Goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny raced the length of the field to join the celebration.

A grinning David Beckham, watching from a luxury suite with two of his kids, was brought to his feet as Henry slapped his chest close to the Arsenal emblem on his jersey.